The Mayan “prophecy” did not foretell the end of the world, and Dick Clark was still with us (if only in spirit) for another New Year’s Eve.

Happy New Year! Here are some stories we want to share with you that review the eco-highlights of 2012, and get us oriented for an excellent 2013.

The Top 14 Environment Stories Of 2012

According to Fast Company, “Climate change is getting worse. No one is stepping up to fix it. But these great projects and ideas on how to consume fewer, cleaner resources will give you a little hope for 2013.”

Huffington Post treats us to the dozen most important stories from the past 12 months. As they say in the article, “From the hidden risks of sleep deprivation, to the life-extending benefits of eating a plant-based diet, the insights we’ve learned in 2012 help to shape and mold the way we lead our lives.

How long can we keep kicking global warming down the road until we go over the melting glacier cliff?

Not long according to Utne Reader. “Think of 2013 as the Year Zero in the battle over climate change, one in which we are going to have to win big, or lose bigger. This is a terrible thing to say, but not as terrible as the reality that you can see in footage of glaciers vanishing, images of the entire surface of the Greenland Ice Shield melting this summer, maps of Europe’s future in which just being in southern Europe when the heat hits will be catastrophic, let alone in more equatorial realms.

Just in case you need more New Year resolutions focused on your body, take a look at this common sense information from Diet.com. “It’s absolutely mind-boggling what constitutes “food” in some people’s minds and that they actually paid hard earned money for some of this stuff. So let’s get serious – I came up with 10 things to implement right now for better health that won’t cost you any money and you won’t even have to think about (much).”

Here’s an upbeat message from our friends at Earth911.com. “With a new year comes the opportunity to try new things. As you’re pondering potential New Year’s resolutions, take a moment and consider a change, commitment or new project that could help reduce waste. You will benefit, and so will the planet.”